XWDSKJE Ohio Stoneware 3-Gallon Fermentation Crock Complete Kit

I’ve been making sauerkraut for years using an old-fashioned open crock, but this fermentation crock is a total game-changer! It comes as a complete kit, including weights, which is so convenient. The water-seal design on the top is brilliant—it keeps bugs out and maintains the perfect fermentation environment. For the price, the quality and features are outstanding. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in fermentation. You won’t be disappointed!

Well 3 gallons is a lot of room, go figure. Bought this as it looked nice enough to keep on the counter-top and it certainly is after receiving it. Just got my first batch going of kraut, but really looking forward to pickles once its growing season. Can't say I know much about fermenting, but I'm very pleased with the appearance and quality of this item.Packaging was great, arrived without any issues in one piece. The weights are not glazed so you have to be very careful putting them in/out of the crock as they have the texture of sandpaper. Would be nice if they had a finish on them to avoid this.EDIT:Well as I stated above I did not know much about fermenting. I had a friend who does understand the process look at it, and they immediately pointed out that the lid does not actually from an airlock. There is a notch cut out in the lid similar to the one you can see on the outside of the crock. If you put enough water in the top of the crock to cover the notch in the lid it just runs out of the notch in the side of the crock. Basically you can't form an airlock on this crock which makes it useless for its intended purpose. I was told by Ohio Stoneware that they are considering a redesign, but this is the way the mold currently is. I don't understand selling an item that does not function for its intended purpose, but this certainly seems like one.I'm certainly going to return mine as if you can't ferment in it, it's just a really large pot.Edit:Meant to update this some time ago, the manufacture was very helpful in resolving this issue and I've now got a perfectly working crock. Very pleased with the purchase, leave it on the counter even when not using it as its such a nice looking piece.

Purchased for giftfor sister. Exactly want she talked about wanting. She thinks it's great exactly what shewanted to make pickles. Great quality,Best size, very useful .

HAVENT USED YET, BUT I HAVE GREAT EXPECTIONS ON THE USE, WATER LOCK, AND HEAVY CROCK MATERIAL, WITH GREAT WEIGHTS, LOOKING FORWARD TO USEING I,

I bought this crock because Ohio has a long standing quality standard ( my Grandmother swore by Ohio Crocks). It works GREAT!!! I love the water seal, so much less fussing with the vegetables. Fill it, and the stone weights, fill the water seal and wait. Do check the water level in the channel every few days, if the channel is low or APPEARS empty just add more water, DO NOT lift the lid...the water is still there it just gets pulled up into the lid. The air lock is still intact, you can jiggle the lid a bit and some of the water will reappear. I prefer to just add more water. I've had it for just over a month and it makes great kimchi and the 'crout just came out today...both were fantastic! Cleans easily, will not stain (not even the weights). Was well packaged, arrived quickly no issues with the product at all. This IS a weighty piece so be careful moving it after it's filled. I did my prep in the kitchen and loaded the crock in the cellar, much easier than moving a full 3 gallon crock. This is a keeper for sure. I hope Ohio comes out with a smaller version of this for my kimchi, a one gallon would be great!!!

Got it today, and it is beautiful! I've used crocks for years, so I don't even have to use this one to tell it is amazing. The lid system everyone is complaining about is actually ideally designed for a water-lock. We got ours in 5 days, and these folks take their bubble wrap seriously! Layers of bubble wrap, thick cardboard, and paper. I do believe they could have airdropped this thing without damage. My wife and I have already talked about what an heirloom this will be.

Love this crock, heavy as hell but definitely accomplishes its job. Takes a bit to clean it thoroughly but you don't have to wash it except before you use it and when you're done using it so there is plenty of time in between. Made my first batch of Kraut and it turned out phenomenal after only 1.5 months of fermenting. I used roughly 25 pounds of cabbage for those trying to get an estimate on how much you can make.

I made up my first batch of sauerkraut this morning using the recipe that came with the crock.It is large enough but not too large. I made up a medium batch that should be ready in 4-6 weeks. I tested the airlock without the cabbage loaded first and it worked well. There was a resistance in lifting the lid. You need to put the crock on a level spot to avoid pouring water down the sides. But it works well.Will post in a few more weeks when my kraut is ready to taste!Update (03/10/14): I opened the crock yesterday and was pleased to find 1) no mold 2) no slime 3) pure, raw, unpasteurized, healthy sauerkraut. I filled 9 quart mason jars to keep in the fridge and had a small 2-quart bowl full on top of that. That should last for awhile :)